When people start arguing about the bluest state in the US, things usually get messy fast. You’ve got the California crowd pointing at their massive Democratic delegation, the Vermont fans talking about Bernie Sanders, and the Massachusetts folks reminding everyone they haven't sent a Republican to the House in decades.
But honestly? If you’re looking for a single winner, it depends entirely on how you’re measuring "blue."
Are we talking about the raw number of Democratic voters? The margin of victory in the 2024 presidential election? Or maybe the legislative "trifectas" where Democrats hold the governorship and both houses of the legislature?
It’s not just one thing. It’s a mix of history, local culture, and how many people actually show up to the polls on a Tuesday in November.
The Vermont Factor: 2024’s Margin King
If you look strictly at the most recent presidential data, Vermont currently takes the crown. In the 2024 election, Kamala Harris won the Green Mountain State by a staggering margin of roughly 32 percentage points.
That’s huge.
Maryland followed closely behind with a 29-point gap, and Massachusetts sat at about 25 points. Hawaii, which often competes for the top spot, saw its margin dip a bit to around 23 points.
But here is the thing: Vermont is also a place that, until recently, had a Republican governor, Phil Scott. He was basically the most popular governor in the country for a while because he was a moderate who didn't fit the national GOP mold. So, can a state be the "bluest" if they keep electing a Republican to run the show?
Maryland and the Voter Registration Game
If you want to talk about "pure" blue by the numbers, look at Maryland.
As of late 2025, Maryland remains the only state in the Union where more than 50% of all registered voters are officially Democrats. To be exact, it’s about 51.8%. California has more total Democrats (obviously, it’s a giant), but only about 45% of its registered voters carry the D label.
Maryland's blue status is deep-seated. It’s not just about the suburbs of D.C. or the city of Baltimore. It’s a statewide trend that has held firm even as other states saw significant shifts toward the right in 2024.
The District of Columbia: The Unbeatable Outlier
We have to mention Washington, D.C., even though it isn't a state.
If D.C. were a state, this conversation would be over in two seconds. In 2024, the Democratic margin in the District was +84 points. Over 75% of registered voters there are Democrats. It is, by every conceivable metric, the bluest patch of dirt in the country.
But since it lacks statehood, it usually gets an asterisk in these rankings.
Why Hawaii and Massachusetts Still Claim the Title
You can’t talk about the bluest state in the US without giving a nod to the islands. Hawaii’s state legislature is almost entirely Democratic. We’re talking about a State Senate where there are only 3 Republicans out of 25 seats. That is basically a one-party system in practice.
Massachusetts is similar. Their entire congressional delegation is Democratic. Every single one. While voters there sometimes flirt with moderate Republican governors (like Charlie Baker or Mitt Romney), when it comes to federal lawmaking, they are as blue as it gets.
The "Blue State Power Index" Surprise
Interestingly, some experts at The American Prospect recently pointed to Minnesota as a heavyweight in the blue category, but for a different reason: policy.
Under Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party pushed through a massive list of progressive priorities in 2023 and 2024. They protected abortion rights, legalized recreational marijuana, and passed universal free school meals. Even with a tiny legislative majority, they acted like the bluest state in the nation.
However, by 2025, that "trifecta" (control of the governor's office and both legislative chambers) hit a snag with a tie in the state House. It goes to show that being "blue" is a fluid thing. One election can change the power dynamic, even if the voters' hearts stay the same.
What Most People Get Wrong About California
Most people think California is the bluest state in the US just because it’s the biggest.
Sure, it has 10 million registered Democrats. But California is also home to more Republicans than almost any other state. In 2024, there was actually a significant shift toward the right in some of California’s mega-counties, like Los Angeles. Turnout dropped, and the "blue" margin narrowed to around 20 points.
It’s still very blue, but the idea that it’s the most liberal place in America is a bit of a stereotype. States like Vermont or Maryland actually have higher "concentrations" of Democratic leanings.
How the Cook PVI Explains the Lean
The Cook Partisan Voting Index (PVI) is the gold standard for measuring this stuff. It looks at how a state performs compared to the nation as a whole.
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As of the 2025 updates, the states with the highest Democratic PVI scores—meaning they are the most insulated from national Republican trends—are:
- Vermont (D+15 or higher)
- Maryland (D+14)
- Massachusetts (D+14)
- Hawaii (D+13)
These scores take into account multiple election cycles, not just a single "vibe" or a popular governor. They tell us that even in a bad year for Democrats, these four states are likely to stay in the blue column.
The Cultural Shift: Blue is Getting "Burbanized"
One thing you’ll notice if you look at the 2024 and 2025 data is where the blue is actually coming from. It’s the "suburbanization" of the Democratic party.
States like Colorado and Virginia used to be purple. Now? They are trending firmly blue. In Virginia, Democrats won big in 2025, largely thanks to the suburbs of Richmond and Northern Virginia.
On the flip side, some "old school" blue states like New Jersey and New York are seeing their margins shrink. High costs of living and concerns over crime in cities like NYC have made these states feel a little less "safe" for Democrats than they were ten years ago.
Why Does This Even Matter?
Knowing the bluest state in the US isn't just for trivia nights. It has real-world consequences for:
- Policy Labs: These states are where things like paid family leave or strict climate regulations get tested before they ever have a chance at the federal level.
- Supreme Court Battles: Blue states are currently the front line for legal battles over reproductive rights and gun control.
- Migration: We're seeing "political sorting," where people move to states that align with their values. If you want a progressive social safety net, you’re looking at Massachusetts or Oregon.
The Actionable Insight: Look Beyond the Map
If you’re trying to understand the political future of the country, don’t just look at who won. Look at the margins.
The fact that Vermont is now statistically bluer than California tells you a lot about the shifting demographics of the parties. Democrats are doing better in rural, highly educated New England and worse in some of the diverse, working-class urban centers that used to be their bedrock.
To keep a pulse on this, you should:
- Check the Trifectas: Watch which states have "unified" Democratic control. This is where the actual lawmaking happens.
- Follow the PVI: Use the Cook Political Report’s updates to see which states are drifting.
- Watch the 2026 Midterms: The next big test for these "blue walls" will be whether they can hold their legislative majorities when the national mood shifts.
For now, if you have to bet on one state staying blue no matter what, put your money on Vermont or Maryland. They’ve got the numbers, the history, and the registration data to prove it.
To get a clearer picture of your own state's standing, check your local Secretary of State website for the most recent voter registration breakdowns by county.